Some prescription pills cause driver impairment, as do other legal and illegal substances. Law enforcement officials are developing new training methods and tools to screen drivers they suspect of being impaired on pills and other drugs.

Here's what every driver should know:

Some states are training cops to recognize drug use.

While new officers on the job quickly learn to spot the signs of alcohol impairment in drivers, the signs of other substance abuses are often hard to discern even by experienced cops. Some states are now offering training programs where police learn to identify signs of possible drug use.

Officers may look for symptoms including changes in the eyes, extreme nervousness, profuse sweating, and slow speech to make a determination of drug impairment. They can use their observations to decide whether or not to arrest you or issue a citation.

The problem with the training is that it may not fully take into account physical disorders that might cause similar signs and symptoms. For example, a highly anxious person might appear to be on an illegal stimulant, or a person recovering from a stroke may have slow speech that resembles narcotic abuse.

Cops are trying out roadside drug tests.

To give cops another tool to help sort drivers, Kentucky law enforcement officials have given the okay to test 100 roadside drug testing kits. The kits use a saliva swab to test for the presence of 10 different drugs, and the results are shown within minutes.

Of course, in Kentucky, the results of the drug tests, if approved for standard use, would not be admissible as evidence in court. Positive results on the roadside screen would merely be one more reason an officer could cite for suspecting a driver is impaired.

Defense attorneys argue that the tests chip away at fundamental rights against invasive tests and procedures. They question the reliability of the test kits, and also how they qualify impairment, since the screening kits only show the presence of drugs without indicating levels of intoxication.

How to handle a traffic stop when an officer suspects drug use.

You can and should consult an attorney in your state to determine the actual DUI laws where you routinely drive. In most cases, you have the right to refuse field sobriety tests, and it is also probably wise to refuse any roadside drug test without a warrant.

If you haven't been drinking, and you don't use prescription drugs, demanding that a blood test be drawn at an approved collection point could clear your name if you are charged with a DUI anyway. However, be aware that any prescription drugs found in your system after a stop, even when you have a legal prescription for them, can be used as evidence to show you were impaired. It's best to refuse any test unless there is a warrant, or if you have been arrested and refusal will automatically suspend your license.

If you have a medical condition that mimics any kind of drug impairment, carry documentation proving so in your glove box. Have your physician sign a note indicating which symptoms you may exhibit due to your disease or disorder. Also keep original pill bottles for any prescription drugs in the vehicle when driving. You don't have to keep all of the pills in the bottle, risking theft, but the bottle will prove you have the legal right to use the medication.

Always consult a qualified DUI attorney if you are at risk of being charged with driving under the influence. They are your voice in the courtroom, and they can advise you on the correct steps to take to minimize the harm that can result from your DUI arrest.

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